unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd How to pronounce unkind (audio)
1
: not pleasing or mild : inclement
an unkind climate
2
: lacking in kindness or sympathy : harsh, cruel
unkindness noun

Examples of unkind in a Sentence

It was unkind of you not to invite her. How could you be so unkind?
Recent Examples on the Web Rain and wind proved unkind to Purdy (career-worst 44.4 completion percentage on 12-of-27 passing for 125 yards, one touchdown, one interception). Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 Up 27-15, the Falcons staggered into a familiar run of unkind iron, helping the hosts scratch and crawl their way back via a 9-0 run over the final four minutes of the first stanza. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2024 The sisters are friendly at first, but things get tense when Julia points out how unkind Susannah's mom was to her and Susannah defends her mama's actions. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2023 Yet Polestar proved imminently unkind to investors with the stock marking its all-time high of around $13 a share on the first day trading in late June 2022. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 24 Jan. 2024 The door staff was sometimes unkind, making sardonic comments about our clothes, hair, and makeup, and we were warned to avoid certain clubs that were notoriously racist and might make a scene at the door. Celine Saintclare, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2024 Although the sisters still receive unkind messages about their weight, even after making so much progress, Tammy and Amy have no regrets about going public with their journey. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023 Our freewheeling ruling party implements outlandishly cruel, shamelessly unwelcoming and unkind policies (not to mention creating the impossible-to-parody role of common sense tsar). Raven Smith, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023 The Met’s immensity can be unkind to singers with Gerhaher’s size and attention to detail. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unkind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unkind was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near unkind

Cite this Entry

“Unkind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkind. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unkind

adjective
un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd How to pronounce unkind (audio)
: not kind or sympathetic
an unkind remark
unkindly adverb
unkindness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unkind

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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